A year has gone by already! I can't believe it. Our wee little family has been through a lot & came out shining. January brought Lily's 5th birthday. She'd gotten a bunny for her birthday & Wyatt got one too.
February brought our tax returns & me being able to get a much wanted tattoo. I had wanted a cover up for a long time and used it to make something beautiful. The Lily on the back of my shoulder is for Lily Lee, the sugar skull is for the loved ones who have passed away. The cosmos in the eyes are for Ben & Wyatt's birthdays, the purple rose is for Cystic Fibrosis. CF is a horrible hereditary disease that has taken 3 members of my family. I carry the gene & so do my children, but thank goodness none of us have it! The red rose is just a symbol of love, and my love of roses. I have since added another larger cosmo for my Ben & a morning glory for myself.
March was a very dark time for me personally. It came with the winds of change. I came to a breaking point in my life and had a nervous break down. Of course the doctors called it something else... but in essence it a a breakdown. That is when my husband and I decided that Tucson was no longer an option for us. That we needed to get out and away for my health. We left behind so many positive things as well... but we needed the change. I am so happy we left when we did. One relationship was destroyed beyond repair & all I can do is pray about that. Moving did seem to bring my parents and I closer and that's been a blessing. Thankfully I have been able to let go, and have been working on healing. March also brought about Easter! Lots of happy smiles and giggles from my wee ones :)
April brought the decision to MOVE. To make it happen & get to Flagstaff. Getting out in the beautiful country where life just seems to move at a slower pace, the air is cleaner, the people are friendlier, and the schools are smaller. It is so beautiful here, so happy. Mind you I don't care for being alone at night, but the hubby is home often enough. The fresh smells of the pines & damp earth just make me smile.
Running through Foxglenn Park with my nieces and my children was awesome. They all had such a fantastic time. Heck our happiness was so infectious it rubbed off on a random girl & she just had to be in our pictures HA HA
May was when everything happened. We got our new cozy little apartment...
It also brought our 7 year wedding anniversary with the man I love more than anything.
And lots of family fun. A trip to the grand canyon? Yes!
June brought fishing trips to Knoll. It was so beautiful there, crystal clear water, beautiful mountains, happiness from my babies. It was out first time there & I just can't wait to go back! June also brought the loss of my brother from CF. He will always be missed, but kept close in my heart.
July was so fun! We went with Nate, Shaunte, my nieces, and my hubby downtown here in Flagstaff for the 4th of July parade. It was so fun walking downtown, watching the floats, then walking through the park for an art fair. TOTALLY awesome. Spending time with family & friends was such an awesome way to spend the day. It was the 2nd parade I'd ever been to :) My babies first! So many firsts here in Flagstaff!! After the parade we went to the golf course, parked our butts right in the middle and watched fireworks. A storm threatened to end the fun, but we toughed it out to the end!
On to August and the beginning of school! Real school for Lily! My lil Kindergartner <3 With Kindergarten came so many hopes and dreams for me & Lily. I think the transition has been harder on her than either of us thought it would be. She's super sensitive and everything gets to her. Poor baby, just like her momma. I think though that once she's used to it she will blossom. She's very friendly and it just takes time.
September brought my birthday, 33rd, oh Lord! Sometimes I feel so old, like my life is running out. Then I remember I have so much life left to live <3
October brought my honey's 31st birthday & my son's 4th. Happy times <3
November came and went with a much needed visit to my parents & my hubby's family. All the pictures I got from then are horrible. I will have to upload some from our visit to the fairy gardens :)
And here we are in December. I am going to do a separate post on Christmas, but I will say that December has been a month of gifts of the heart. Finding & rekindling a relationship with someone that is very close to my heart has been huge. You know who you are <3
What a huge difference a year can make. We lose people, we find people, we lose ourselves, we find ourselves. Living is really important. Living life to the fullest, making memories, and being good to people. Though this year has been hard, I am so grateful that I have had it with my little family. I am thankful for every single up and down that I have had. Here's to another fabulous year!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
